Zoom’s New H5: One of the Best Affordable DSLR Microphones Yet

One of the best thing about DSLR cameras is that they’ve made professional filmmaking become more and more affordable for the kids that wish to pursue it. But when your camera has the ability to shoot videos with quality that’s good enough for even filming House, M.D., you want to make sure your sound can match up with it. There’s nothing worse than having an outstanding looking film become completely pointless because of its sound quality, and the microphones that come built in DSLRs don’t really help that at all.

Luckily, there’s companies that offer both expensive and cheap solutions to that; one of them is Zoom, who delve into the latter. The microphones the company has offered give great sound quality for the prices they come at, and they’re expanding their catalogue with the newly announced Zoom H5.

Last year, Zoom released the H6, an upgrade to the H4N; while the features it packed were hands-down as good as it gets, the $400 price tag was a big jump compared to the other products in Zoom’s line of microphones. The new H5 comes in the middle and forms a welcomed balance, retaining the essential elements of the H6 while getting rid of things like a colored screen, in favor of a monochromatic one.

With 96 khz 24 bit audio recording, the quality the H5 presents is precisely what DSLR filmmakers need, and Zoom offers it at a price tag of $270. If you’ve been looking for a microphone that’ll give you a great on-set sound on a frugal budget, this is where you should stop searching. This microphone is basically targeted directly towards DSLR videographers. You can pick one up one of these guys in June, or preorder it at B&H right now.

As for me, when I talk about this company, I’m speaking from experience. I’ve been using the Zoom H1 for a few months on my setup; even at its cost of $100, it’s been nothing but great. The quality’s definitely less compared to its stronger siblings, but there wasn’t anything I couldn’t solve through a bit of editing. If you’re running a bit tighter on cash right now, I’d suggest giving the H1 a go, as well.

Full Specs:

Uses a system of interchangeable input capsules that can be swapped out as easily as the lens of a camera

I love my Zoom H4N, and use it on a fairly regular basis, but I’ll be making that upgrade to the H5 as soon as possible. Having interchangeable mic capsules AND built-in shock mounts for the mics is pretty damn smart. And the “roll bar” over the level adjustment knobs –– in fact, having level adjustment knobs instead of the H4N’s audio rocker switch –– is both genius and a much needed improvement.

I do have to make one comment regarding the price, which is that $270 is an absolute bargain for such a high-end equipment piece of equipment. Myself, I’ve worked in and around the production biz’ for nearly thirty years, and I remember (gladly) dishing out $3000 for a used, mono, reel-to-reel audio recorder (the original Nagra 4.2). Later, I spent close to $9000 on a portable, stereo DAT recorder with time-code. $270 is chump change.

I bought a Zoom H6 recently, and I’ve used an H4N a few times. The usability on the H6 is so much better that it alone is worth the extra money. Looks like it’s the same for the H5, so it would be a no brainer compared to the H4N. One thing missing from the specs is the phantom power capability, though.

Another thing that may be important to some is that according to the specs, the H5 isn’t SDXC compatible, while the H6 is.

dave e.

Read again…

“• Two mic/line inputs with XLR/TRS combo connectors each with selectable phantom power and -20dB pad “

hmmm, although all the specs check out and make it very tempting. I’m not a fan of the shape. Granted it’s still designed more as standalone recording device than being a dedicated DSLR mic however I don’t like how it sticks so far backwards that it hangs over the screen so much. Even with a screen loupe it still looks like it would get in the way somewhat. I think ill stick with my Rhode VideoMic.

dave e.

I think, for about $60 more, I’d rather spring for the TASCAM DR60. Not that I have any issue with ZOOM products – I’ve heard a few of them and was quite impressed – but the TASCAM has a better layout and is designed to go UNDER the DSLR, which I find much more acceptable.
Still, this is a good thing, this ZOOM unit….

Clinton Lofthouse is a Photographer, Retoucher and Digital Artist based in the United Kingdom, who specialises in creative retouching and composites. Proud 80's baby, reader of graphic novels and movie geek!
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